OUR IMPACTNon-Profit Media Relations
Publicity Club of Chicago Golden Trumpet Award:
Media Relations - Nonprofit
Client: Harmony, Hope & Healing
THE NEED:Harmony, Hope & Healing (HHH) is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that uses the healing power of music to help individuals overcome the trauma associated with addiction, isolation, incarceration and homelessness. Virginia Mann Group helped increase awareness of and support for the organization by telling the story of lived experience of Amanda Longe-Asque.
In researching the organization and learning about its participants, the Virginia Mann Group identified a participant whose story truly exemplified the tremendous impact of the organization. Amanda Longe-Asque started her journey with HHH as a beneficiary. She transitioned to a volunteer, a manager and a leader. After overcoming addiction, she earned her Associates degree, a Bachelor’s degree and began work on a Master’s degree. Amanda was promoted to executive director of HHH and was highly regarded for her skills and shared her positivity and joy with all around her. Amanda developed COVID-19 early in the pandemic, prior to the vaccination. She eventually had a double lung transplant, and after a long recovery, returned to HHH in 2022. Unfortunately, Amanda ultimately succumbed to complications related to COVID-19.
In addition to Amanda’s absence, pandemic-related closures and distancing rules created havoc with HHH’s activities and funding. HHH had already been working with Virginia Mann Group for several years at the time
COVID-19 impacted the organization, so we worked closely with them to re-establish their identity and create awareness and support for its programs and fundraising.
RESEARCH AND PLANNING:
Virginia Mann Group researched the Chicago nonprofit market and Chicago-area media to develop a compelling story about HHH and Amanda’s journey from HHH participant to COVID patient and then back to HHH leadership. With Amanda’s full approval, Virginia Mann Group reached out to key Chicago media, gained interest and arranged multiple interviews with top tier Chicago media.
OUR CREATIVE WORK:Virginia Mann Group's work with Harmony, Hope & Healing (HHH) included: • Conduct research to better understand the scope of those experiencing addiction, incarceration, isolation
and homelessness • Develop messaging about HHH • Develop messaging about Amanda’s journey with HHH • Research appropriate media outlets and customize the messaging for each outlet. • Offer unique opportunities for interviews about a very personal—and heartwarming—story of a local person who changed her life from addiction, incarceration, isolation and homelessness to leadership of the
organization that helped her.
RESULTS:As a result of our efforts, Harmony, Hope & Healing (HHH) received coverage on numerous major media outlets in Chicago, including ABC, FOX, NBC, WGN-TV, WBBM-AM radio, WGN-AM radio and numerous other outlets. We helped increase participation in and support of the organization. Amanda’s story and the impact of HHH on her life were effectively told over the years. Numerous media stories illustrated her journey from recovery to college graduation to leadership of the organization to her illness and death. Throughout the journey, the incredible impact of HHH on her life, and her life’s impact on HHH was front and center. Our award-winning work for HHH helped raise awareness and support of the organization and after the COVID-19 pandemic, helped re-engage targeted audiences.
RESULTS:As a result of our efforts, Harmony, Hope & Healing (HHH) received coverage on numerous major media outlets in Chicago, including ABC, FOX, NBC, WGN-TV, WBBM-AM radio, WGN-AM radio and numerous other outlets. We helped increase participation in and support of the organization. Amanda’s story and the impact of HHH on her life were effectively told over the years. Numerous media stories illustrated her journey from recovery to college graduation to leadership of the organization to her illness and death. Throughout the journey, the incredible impact of HHH on her life, and her life’s impact on HHH was front and center. Our award-winning work for HHH helped raise awareness and support of the organization and after the COVID-19 pandemic, helped re-engage targeted audiences.